Ratified 1788 · Three clauses establishing federal law as supreme
Validates all debts contracted by the United States under the prior Articles of Confederation, ensuring continuity from the old government to the new.
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof... shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
Requires federal and state officials to swear an oath to support the Constitution, but bars any "religious Test" as a qualification for public office.